Nursing theories
Nursing theories are backed with the concepts of the person, environment, health, and nursing goals. The person/ patient is usually the most important factor, as all three revolve around them. These theories help develop human understanding and experiences by focusing on those seeking care and care providers. The nursing profession makes use of the P (problem, population, or patient) I (intervention) C (comparison) O (outcome) framework to guide the clinical inquiry processes. Some social and cultural factors that inform clinical practice are the level of education, income, housing, and access to healthcare.
The nursing profession demands that nurses have effective communication strategies in their interaction with various stakeholders. These nurses should be well-versed in verbal and non-verbal communication, using each or a blend of them when necessary. Technological aids can also be used for a seamless communication experience. Further, they should have an understanding of barriers to communication and how to overcome them. Inter-collaboration in handling patients is one of the direct consequences of effective communication. The advantage is that there is improved patient care and outcomes as the professionals pool their knowledge in handling the cases. Also, medical errors are minimized, and treatment is faster. Lastly, such collaboration results in increased staff relationships hence job satisfaction.
Nurse leaders need to possess good leadership skills to influence their decision-making initiatives. They should also possess emotional intelligence that allows them to mentor trainees and the nursing staff to be resilient amidst the industry’s stressors. They should also be professional and maintain high standards of integrity. Lastly, they should have respect for subordinates and have good communication skills. Through these leadership skills, the nurse leader can spearhead quality improvement initiatives. These are majorly focused on patient engagement, safety, and compassionate care.